By MATT PIKE
Cam Ward threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns, and the Tennessee Titans snapped an 11-game home skid beating the injury riddled Kansas City Chiefs, with several starters out due to being injured, 26-9.
Ward posted his highest passer rating of this season at 122.3, and he overtook Marcus Mariota for the most yards passing by a rookie for the franchise. The Titans improved to 1-7 at home this season, ending a skid that matched the franchise’s worst since moving to Tennessee in 1997.
With two games left, the Chiefs, now 6-9 on the season, are assured of their first losing record since 2012, their most recent season without Andy Reid as their coach. Kansas City has lost four straight, its longest skid since 2017, and six of seven. A week after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending torn ACL, his backup, Gardner Minshew, was knocked out of the game with a knee injury early in the second quarter. Reid said he didn’t have any results after the game and that Minshew will have an MRI exam. The fear is that Minshew also suffered a torn ACL.
Ward threw a shovel pass to tight end Chig Okonkwo that went seven yards to put the Titans ahead 9-3 to stay late in the first half. Ward also found fellow rookie Chimere Dike for a one yard touchdown in the third quarter. Tony Pollard ran for 102 yards, giving him three straight 100-yard rushing games for the first time in his career. Tyjae Spears added a 4-yard rushing TD, and Joey Slye had a 27-yard field goal for the final margin.
Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons tackled Kareem Hunt in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead early in the second quarter. Simmons also batted down a pair of passes. The Titans finished with four sacks. The battered Chiefs came in with Mahomes on injured reserve along with right tackle Jawaan Taylor. They also declared nine players out Friday, including five starters, led by wide receiver Rashee Rice, left tackle Jaylon Moore and cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Minshew made his first start of the season. After he got hurt, the Chiefs turned to Chris Oladokun, just signed to the roster from the practice squad, to play in his second career game. Oladokun handed off on his first five snaps. Then he connected with Travis Kelce for his first NFL completion, and Oladokun drove the Chiefs to a trio of field goals by Harrison Butker. Oladokun finished 11 of 16 for 111 yards.
Isiah Pachecho rushed eight times for 34 yards and added six catches for 41 yards. Xavier Worthy also had 41 yards receiving on two catches, while Hollywood Brown had three catches for 22 yards. Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Brashard Smith also recorded receptions in the loss.
Up next, the Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium to host the AFC West leading Denver Broncos on Christmas for Thursday Night Football. Pregame will be at 6pm with kickoff at 7:15 airing on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM) and Q Country (92.7 FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
